Hull City are firmly in the race to sign both Lewis O'Brien and Louie Barry from Premier League opposition, while they remain keen to bring in striker Oli McBurnie.
Talks have been underway with Nottingham Forest over a move for O'Brien for a number of weeks, as revealed by Hull Live, but the financial package required to get the deal done remains a stumbling block.
City are in discussions with Forest over both a loan and permanent deal for the 26-year-old midfielder, who has a contract at the City Ground until next summer, though suggestions of a £5m deal are thought to be wide of the mark according to sources involved in negotiations.
O'Brien is believed to be keen on moving to the Tigers, which would also enable him to be closer to his West Yorkshire home, but he is not the only option the club have in that area of the pitch. City are believed to have a player on their radar based in Europe who is also in discussions and could arrive instead, with owner Acun Ilicali and head coach Sergej Jakirovic heavily involved in those talks.
City are also having talks with Aston Villa over a move for Louie Barry, which would see the 22-year-old former Barcelona starlet return permanently.
Villa are understood to be open to selling the playmaker, who joined City on loan in January before picking up a serious knee injury which effectively ended his campaign in just his fourth appearance.
Relations between the two clubs remain strong and discussions are ongoing over that deal, which could happen quickly given Villa's need to bring in revenue ahead of submitting their accounts prior to Monday's deadline.
Barry is one of three options the club are looking at, with a permanent and loan alternative also being considered by the Tigers. The prospect of signing Sutton Coldfield-born Barry permanently does appeal to the club, given what they believe is a high potential for a player who has impressed at League One level with Stockport County, but remains unproven in the Championship.
City have so far signed three players ahead of Monday's full return to pre-season training with new head Sergej Jakirovic. Reda Laalaoui, goalkeeper Dillon Phillips and Nigerian international Semi Ajayi have arrived.
The Tigers expect to sign as many as eight new players before the window closes, though there's a desire to have much of that work completed before the season starts at Coventry City on August 9.
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